Update | Man pleads not guilty to attempted murder of partner's baby

A 27-year-old unemployed man from Zabbar was kept in custody after pleading not guilty to the attempted murder of his partner’s 11 month-year-old baby. The man allegedly threw the baby into her cot. He has also been charged with seriously injuring the baby, with negligence of his partner's other two children, both aged under 12, and with being in possession of cocaine and cannabis. His request for bail was denied.

The girl's mother, a 24-year-old Romanian, was charged with negligence and possession of cocaine and cannabis. She was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €10,000. The court ordered her not to contact her children and her partner. The court also appointed a probational officer to perform regular drug tests on her. 

The incident occured at 5am on Friday.

The baby is in critical condition and has suffered injuries to her head and legs and will be operated on today. Prosecuting Officer Chris Pullicno said that the baby is currently fighting for her life. The court appointed specialist Mario Scerrri to examine the girl. 

The police told presiding magistrate Antonio Trigona that the baby had been found living in squalid conditions and that the man had been subjected to a court order.

Earlier, staff at Mater Dei reported the couple to the police when the baby girl they had taken to the hospital was found to be suffering from multiple injuries.